Best Revenge Movies Of All Time

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is a classic crime drama set in 1940s New York City. It follows the aging patriarch Vito Corleone as he attempts to pass control of his criminal empire to his youngest son Michael. As Vito's well-laid plans begin to unravel, Michael must face rival gangs, assassins, and the FBI. Along the way, he learns the true meaning of power and loyalty, and takes his place as the head of the Corleone family. Featuring an all-star cast and timeless soundtrack, The Godfather is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen
Rated R

City of God is a Brazilian crime drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. It is set in the Cidade de Deus neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the 1960s to the 1980s. The film follows the lives of various characters living in the slums of the city, and their involvement in the violent drug culture of the region. The protagonists are Rocket, a young boy who dreams of becoming a photographer, and his friend Li'l Zé, a gang leader who rises to power through drug trafficking and violence. As Rocket navigates the slums, he is confronted with the harsh realities of life in the City of God and finds himself embroiled in the escalating violence between rival gangs. The film culminates with a shootout between the police and Li'l Zé's gang, in which Rocket ultimately escapes to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer.

From Sergio Leone, starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards
Rated PG-13

Once Upon a Time in the West is a classic Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone, starring Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson, and Claudia Cardinale. It tells the story of a mysterious stranger (Bronson) with a harmonica who teams up with a notorious outlaw (Robards) to protect a widow (Cardinale) and her land from a ruthless robber baron (Fonda). The film uses a series of detailed flashbacks to trace the events leading up to the stranger's arrival in the small town of Flagstone. With its sweeping score and striking cinematography, Once Upon a Time in the West has become a classic of the genre.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 mystery psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, two rival magicians in London at the end of the 19th century. The story follows the competition between Angier and Borden and their respective quest to be the greatest magician. Their rivalry intensifies when Angier's wife, Julia, is killed during one of Borden's stunts. Angier and Borden then use whatever means necessary to outdo one another, which leads them to discover Nikola Tesla's secret invention that may make them both famous. In the end, Angier and Borden discover that some secrets are best kept hidden.

From Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Rated R

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 French film directed by Luc Besson and starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and Natalie Portman. In the film, a lonely French hitman named Léon (Reno) lives a solitary life in New York City. When an Italian mob family, headed by the sinister Tony (Oldman), violently invades the home of 12-year-old Mathilda (Portman) and her family, Mathilda turns to Léon for help. Léon reluctantly agrees to train Mathilda as his protégé and the two develop a bond, as she learns the art of assassination and he learns of the power of love and friendship. Together, they must outwit Tony and his goons, as they attempt to bring justice to Mathilda's life.

From Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Rated R

Gladiator is an epic historical drama directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe. It tells the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius, a brave and respected Roman general who is betrayed by the Emperor's ambitious son and reduced to slavery. Maximus must fight for his life in the gladiatorial arena, where his skills are put to the test as he strives for revenge against the Emperor. Along the way, he reconnects with his family and finds the courage to embrace his destiny. The film is filled with thrilling action sequences, gripping drama, and powerful performances that make it an unforgettable classic.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong, Kim Byeong-Ok
Rated R

Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. The film follows the story of Oh Dae-su, a man who is kidnapped and held captive for 15 years without knowing his captor's identity or the reason for his imprisonment. After his sudden release, he embarks on a quest for vengeance, determined to uncover the truth about his imprisonment. He soon discovers that his captor is a rich and powerful man who has been plotting to exact revenge on him for a past wrong he had done to him. With the help of a young woman, he must find a way to take revenge before his unknown opponent can destroy him and all that he holds dear.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento is a 2000 neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. The story follows Leonard Shelby, a man with anterograde amnesia, as he attempts to avenge the rape and murder of his wife by finding and killing her killer. As Leonard is unable to create new memories, he uses a system of notes, photographs and tattoos to track his progress in his quest for vengeance. Along the way, he encounters a variety of colorful characters who assist him in his mission, leading him to discover the truth about his wife's murder. Memento is known for its innovative use of reverse chronology, with two alternating stories running in opposite directions that eventually meet at the end.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Rated R

Django Unchained is a 2012 film directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Jamie Foxx,Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson. The movie is set in the pre-Civil War South in the early 1830s and follows the story of Django (Foxx), a slave-turned-bounty hunter who is on a mission to rescue his wife, Broomhilda (Washington), from plantation owner Calvin Candie (DiCaprio). With the help of Dr. King Schultz (Waltz), a bounty hunter who buys Django's freedom, the two embark on a dangerous mission to infiltrate Candie's plantation and free Broomhilda. Along the way, they must face the brutal realities of slavery and face the wrath of Candie's henchman (Jackson). In the end, Django and Dr. Schultz are able to rescue Broomhilda, exacting revenge on Candie and his henchmen, and riding off together into the night.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Mélanie Laurent
Rated R

Inglourious Basterds is a 2009 war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, who co-produced it with Lawrence Bender. Set during World War II, it tells the fictional story of two groups of Jewish-American soldiers nicknamed the "Basterds" who are chosen by the "Bear Jew" Sergeant Donnie Donowitz to go on a rampage against Nazi German soldiers in France. Their mission is to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing the soldiers. During their mission, they cross paths with a French-Jewish cinema owner and a German actress with a secret past. The film also features a British spy story with a twist of fate, a vengeance plot, and a climactic showdown in a movie theater. Inglourious Basterds features an all-star cast including Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, and Christoph Waltz.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris
Rated R

Unforgiven is a Western film directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in the movie as a retired gunfighter-turned-farmer named William Munny. When Munny and his former partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) are offered a large reward to avenge the mutilation of a prostitute by a group of cowboys, they reluctantly accept and set out on a mission of retribution. As they make their way to the town of Big Whiskey, Wyoming, they are met with resistance from the corrupt sheriff and his deputies, as well as hostility from the locals who have taken sides with the cowboys. In the end, Munny and Logan must face their own inner demons as they confront the ultimate consequences of their actions.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a 2003 revenge film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film follows the former assassin, The Bride (Uma Thurman), as she sets out on a journey of revenge against the team of assassins who betrayed her and left her for dead on her wedding day. As she tracks down each member of the team, The Bride encounters a variety of assassins, including O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu), Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox), and Budd (Michael Madsen). The film is noted for its highly stylized action sequences, as well as its eclectic soundtrack, which features music from a variety of genres, including rock, soul, and Japanese pop.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Moon So-ri
Rated Not Rated

The Handmaiden is a 2016 South Korean period psychological thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. The story is based on the 2002 novel Fingersmith by Welsh author Sarah Waters. The film follows a young Korean woman who is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, but she is secretly involved in a conman's scheme to defraud the heiress of her large fortune. The Handmaiden is set in the 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea and follows the story of Sook-Hee, a young pickpocket, who is employed as a handmaiden to Japanese heiress, Lady Hideko. Sook-Hee is enlisted by a conman posing as a Japanese Count to help deceive Hideko and claim her fortune. But as Sook-Hee grows closer to Hideko, she begins to realize that the Count’s true motives are much darker than she first thought. The Handmaiden is an intense and suspenseful psychological thriller with a captivating story filled with unexpected and shocking twists.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her
Rated R

In Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood portrays Walt Kowalski, a Korean War veteran who lives in a predominantly Hmong-American neighborhood in Michigan. Despite his gruff and racist exterior, Walt develops a bond with his Hmong neighbors when he takes it upon himself to protect them from a local gang. As Walt is forced to confront his own prejudices, he embarks on a journey of redemption and self-discovery. Ultimately, he learns the importance of family and the value of his own life.

From Charles Laughton, starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason
Rated Not Rated

The Night of the Hunter is a classic thriller directed by Charles Laughton in 1955. It tells the story of a sinister preacher, Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) who searches for two young children, John and Pearl Harper, who know the secret to the whereabouts of a hidden bank robbery loot. Along the way, Powell encounters the woman whom John and Pearl call “Momma” (Lillian Gish) who is determined to protect them from the sinister preacher. In the end, Momma and the children outwit the evil preacher, who is ultimately apprehended and brought to justice. The film is a poignant exploration of the power of good over evil, and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Domhnall Gleeson
Rated R

The Revenant is a 2015 American Western-drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, who is on a quest for survival after being mauled by a bear while on a fur trading expedition in the 1800s. Along the way, Glass must battle the elements, hostile Native American tribes, and his own inner demons as he seeks revenge against the man who betrayed him, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). The film is a tale of survival, resilience, and the power of the human spirit in the face of extraordinary adversity.

From Rob Reiner, starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon
Rated PG

The Princess Bride is a delightful, fairytale-like adventure movie directed by Rob Reiner and released in 1987. The film tells the story of the young Buttercup, who is forced to marry the loathsome Prince Humperdinck. Before their wedding, she is rescued by the Dread Pirate Roberts and his cohorts, who are on a quest to get her back to her true love, Westley. Along the way, they have to contend with a series of obstacles, including a giant, an eel-infested swamp, and a battle with the wicked Count Rugen. Filled with humor, romance, and thrilling adventure, The Princess Bride is a beloved classic that has captivated viewers of all ages.

From David Fincher, starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a 2011 mystery thriller film directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. It is based on the novel of the same name by Stieg Larsson. The film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Craig) and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Mara) as they investigate a 40-year-old cold case of the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, the niece of a powerful industrialist. Their fierce investigation unearths a series of secrets and a dark history of murder and abuse, leading to a violent confrontation. The film was met with critical acclaim and was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing foreign language film in the United States at the time.

From J. Lee Thompson, starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Lori Martin
Rated Passed

Cape Fear is a 1962 American psychological thriller directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, and Polly Bergen. The film tells the story of Max Cady, a convicted rapist who is released from prison after serving an 8-year sentence. He seeks revenge on his former defense lawyer, Sam Bowden, and his family. Cady's psychopathic behavior, combined with Bowden's attempts to keep him away from his family, creates a tense and suspenseful atmosphere as the showdown between the two men intensifies. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Bergen and a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Peck. It was later remade in 1991 by Martin Scorsese.

From Alex Garland, starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno
Rated R

Ex Machina is a science fiction thriller film directed by Alex Garland and released in 2014. The film follows Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson), a programmer for a large internet company, who is invited by his reclusive CEO Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac) to spend a week at his remote home. Once there, Caleb learns that he has been chosen to participate in a revolutionary experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a beautiful and advanced humanoid A.I. named Ava (Alicia Vikander). As Caleb interacts with Ava, he soon begins to develop feelings for her. Meanwhile, Nathan reveals his true motivations and intentions behind the A.I. experiment, leading to a thrilling and suspenseful climax.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin
Rated PG-13

True Grit is a 2010 western adventure film directed by the Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen. The film is a remake of the 1969 John Wayne film of the same name, which was based on the 1968 novel by Charles Portis. The story follows the character of Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), a 14-year-old girl who is determined to avenge her father's death at the hands of Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). She enlists the help of a U.S. Marshal, Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), as well as Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon). The trio set out on an adventure in search of Chaney, which leads them to an intense manhunt in the wilds of Arkansas. Along the way, they encounter many obstacles and dangers, which test the limits of their courage and determination. Ultimately, Mattie's unwavering commitment to justice is rewarded, and all three characters are changed by the experience.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Marisa Paredes
Rated R

The Skin I Live In is a 2011 Spanish psychological thriller film directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The film follows Dr. Robert Ledgard, a plastic surgeon who has developed a revolutionary form of skin, which he keeps a secret from the public. He has also developed an obsession with controlling the life of Vera, a mysterious woman who is held captive in his home. Through a series of flashbacks, the film reveals the dark past that brought Ledgard and Vera together and the tragic consequences that ensue. As the film progresses, viewers come to learn the truth about Dr. Ledgard's sinister experiments, and just how far he is willing to go for his obsessive quest for control.

From Jordan Peele, starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker
Rated R